Abstract The important role of radioactivity in the conversion of primary hydro- and atmosphere is substantiated considering the decay of 40 K isotope in seawater. By now, the total energy resulting from the decay of 40 K in the ocean amounts to 6.3 × 1026 J. The calculations show that the concentration of oxygen formed over the last 3.8 Ga is approximately 8 × 1017 kg, i.e., it is of the same order of magnitude as the content of oxygen in the modern atmosphere. The ocean was an intermediate reservoir in which oxygen was formed and which was purified from toxic components. The radiation provides the threshold concentrations of oxygen (Urey, Pasteur, and Berkner-Marshall points) important for the development of oxygen-breathing life. The radical and ionic products of water radiolysis induced chemical transformations of the compounds dissolved in the ocean. The calculations show that their total concentration over a period of 3.8 Ga was approximately 0.3 mol L−1. Seawater radiolysis resulted in water purification, saturation with oxygen, and formation of simple organic molecules.

中文翻译：

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地球大气中的自然放射性和氧气的形成：放射性 40K 的衰变和海水的辐射分解

摘要 考虑到海水中 40 K 同位素的衰变，证实了放射性在原生水和大气转化中的重要作用。到目前为止，海洋中 40 K 衰变产生的总能量为 6.3 × 1026 J。 计算表明，最后 3.8 Ga 形成的氧气浓度约为 8 × 1017 kg，即它是与现代大气中的氧气含量相同的数量级。海洋是形成氧气并从有毒成分中净化出来的中间水库。辐射提供了氧气的阈值浓度（尤里、巴斯德和伯克纳-马歇尔点），这对呼吸氧气的生命的发展很重要。水辐射分解的自由基和离子产物引起溶解在海洋中的化合物的化学转化。计算表明，它们在 3.8 Ga 期间的总浓度约为 0.3 mol L-1。海水辐射分解导致水净化、氧饱和和简单有机分子的形成。